Friday, 20 July 2007

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said on Wednesday 18th July that the difference in taxes in wine and beer in Sweden breaks EU law. Wine currently is taxed higher than beer. As usual, the Swedish government conjured up some figures saying that the difference is negligible and doesn't affect purchases. However, The European Court usually follows the Advocate General's recommendations, although it can go against them. Sweden's Public Health Minister Maria Larsson and Finance Minister Anders Borg declined to comment on the Advocate General's opinion, saying they would wait for the court's decision.

What will happen, either beer taxes will go up or wine taxes will come down.